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Traveling and
discovering new places is a great way to slow-down and reflect. It is an
opportunity to learn from new cultures, to heal from the wear and tear of
everyday life, and to connect with people that might live very different lives
from you. And in those experiences, we often find a lot of self-discovery.

New Zealand is a small island country of extraordinary
beauty. Within a short distance, you’ll find mountains, glaciers, beaches,
lakes, volcanoes, fjords, and green farmlands with a seemingly endless supply
of sheep. The weather is consistently temperate; you can expect sunny days in
the 70s during summertime (our winter). And the locals (known as Kiwis) are
exceedingly hospitable and friendly. In early February, I made the choice to step away from life in Los Angeles, buy a ticket and have an adventure.

Here are my top 4 hiking destinations from
my 5-week New Zealand escape:

1.
Wharariki Beach – Pronounced Fah-ra-riki Beach. The
perfect, hidden oasis. You’ll walk about a mile through sheep-ridden farmlands
and come out onto a long stretch of beach with soft sand, soft waves and
powerful cliffs. It is quite the remote location, despite the short 30-minute
walk.

2.
Mount Victoria – Wellington is New Zealand’s
capital and lies at the southwestern tip of the North Island. Mount Victoria is
a prominent hill that lies in the eastern part of the city. It is only a
short walk to the top of the hill, where you’ll find a lookout spot to see the
entire Wellington Bay. It makes the perfect morning hike to start off your day.

3.
Gertrude Saddle – Milford Sound is a must-see if
you are visiting New Zealand. However, if you want a special view that few of
the tourists get to see, I highly recommend making this slightly challenging
trek. The start of the saddle is a little past the Homer Tunnel. It is about
3.5 km hike and will take about 4-5 hours round-trip. But if you’re up for it,
you definitely won’t be sorry.

4. Mueller Hut – This camping destination offers a
beautiful view of New Zealand’s famed Mt. Cook. This was by far the most
challenging hike I have done to date.
This tramping route will take you 3,000 feet up in around 3 miles. That
being said, the majority of the hike is stairs going straight up. However,
Mueller Hut offers expansive views of snowy glaciers and an unparalleled view
of the stars at night.